7 Thoughts & Tidbits on the Penguins Trade, Brassard & Bjugstad

The Pittsburgh Penguins whirlwind weekend which began late Friday morning will conclude tonight in Toronto with the most important television game of the week: Hockey Night in Canada. The Penguins will need to show their newfound wares against on the best teams in the Eastern Conference which also just added a significant upgrade on defense–Jake Muzzin.

1. The Deal moved quickly.

We were told the Penguins were headed in different directions until Florida GM Dale Tallon called sometime mid-week. We believe Florida’s strong offer led the Penguins to feel a deal was going in the right direction. Penguins GM Jim Rutherford began serious talks and soon had a trade.

Yes, Brassard did suffer an upper-body injury but the severity was minor. We believe the Penguins were looking ahead to a deal–and kept Brassard safe– but a deal was not imminent Wednesday night.

2. The Penguins previously tried to acquire Bjugstad.

Bjugstad was on the Pittsburgh Hockey Now list of potential center acquisitions in the summer of 2017. Florida held a high asking price and the Penguins balked.

This season, Florida coach Bob Boughner (also a former Penguins defenseman), put Bjugstad on the right wing to shake up his lineup. With the return of Vincent Trocheck, the emergence of 2016 first-round pick Henrik Borgstrom, Florida had a crowded house of centers. With Florida’s reported interest in making a run at Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin in the offseason, the deal makes great sense for all involved.

Florida freed up long term salary. The Penguins got a big bodied third line center for the upcoming Metro Division battles.

I’m a little embarrassed I didn’t see it coming right away, though our attention was on Adam Lowry and the Winnipeg Jets refusal

3. Don’t sleep on Jared McCann.

The former first-round pick can skate and is a good penalty killer. McCann is just 22-years-old. If the Penguins ever get fully healthy this season, McCann is an odd-man out. But next season he could be the Penguins fourth line center if 42-year-old Matt Cullen does retire (a big “IF”).

4. Pittsburgh treated Derick Brassard well.

Penguins fans did not pile-on Brassard. There were a lot of sympathies and well wishes towards the end, especially after the Pittsburgh Hockey Now story and video in which Brassard admitted to hearing the rumors. Usually, at the end of a player’s tenure which hasn’t been successful, fans of all stripes send the player out of town on rails. Penguins fans didn’t do that.

That was pretty cool. It felt like Penguins fans accepted that it just didn’t work and didn’t tarnish his skills.

5. Mike Sullivan’s respect for Brassard was immediately evident at the press conference.

This was the second time Derick Brassard was traded to a Mike Sullivan coached team. At the 2013 trade deadline, the New York Rangers–where Mike Sullivan was an assistant to John Tortorella–acquired Brassard from Columbus. The Rangers fired Tortorella and Sullivan after an early playoff exit and the Brassard-Sullivan relationship lasted just 25 games (Brassard played in 13 regular season games and 12 playoff games).

In the 2012-13 playoffs, Sullivan got his first look at “Big Game Brass” who scored 12 points (2g, 10a) in 12 games. His respect for Brassard has been evident as Sullivan has often referenced the conversations the pair had in trying to help Brassard adjust to the diminished third line role.

Sullivan came to Brassard’s defense one more time yesterday when asked why Brassard didn’t meet expectations in Pittsburgh.

Here’s the video–it’s already cued up to 1:18 when Sullivan gets the question and begins, “In Brass’s defense…” And that’s also why Sullivan can engender loyalty from his players even as he is tough on them.

6. The Trade is a winner.

Younger, stronger, hungrier, and deeper. The Penguins line up– if Bjugstad can lock down the third line center role–is suddenly much better and playoff ready. Bjugstad’s size and willingness to go to the net will be assets. There are speed and tenacity on the Penguins wings, which now includes Teddy Blueger. The Penguins will have younger, fresher legs in their lineup.

And there is some new blood running through the Penguins veins.

Rust and Conor Sheary brought that youthful spark in 2016. Back then, they were known as the “Wilkes-Barre Crew” before their teammates began to correct the media–“they’re here now. They’re Pittsburgh Penguins,” Chris Kunitz corrected one day.

Jake Guentzel brought the new-guy spark and a pile of playoff goals in 2017.

The Brassard trade now sets the Penguins lineup (unless Jim Rutherford has a real bombshell waiting) and defines Blueger’s role. He’ll be a third or fourth line winger and penalty killer. And he’ll bring a lot of energy and spark to the task.

7. Don’t be surprised to see Brassard in Columbus

Brassard may not be long for Florida. Reading tea leaves–go back to No. 1–Florida pushed the deal forward, now. Why? They’re not in the playoff race. It could have waited until the summer when there are typically MORE suitors, and Florida could have avoided the buyers market by waiting.

It seems entirely plausible–which will allow the rumor mongers to toss it on the wall to see if it sticks–that a third team put a bug in Florida’s ear. If Florida got Brassard, perhaps another team is willing to take him off their hands. Not only did Florida free up long-term salary to chase the Columbus Russians Bobrovsky and Panarin this summer, but Florida could get immediate relief and more assets, right now.

Dale Tallon is a good GM. He built the Chicago Blackhawks dynasty before Scotty and Stan Bowman elbowed him aside. Don’t bet against the parlay here. Poor Brassard, however. The guy just wants to settle in somewhere and get back to hockey in a meaningful role.

8 Comments

Paul

February 2, 2019 at 10:49 am

I think you will see Bjugstad in the top 6 on the RW he has better statistics and is more comfortable as soon as Malkin is back I am betting that will happen that leaves Cullen Blueger and McCann for 3rd and 4th line centers and I am excited for Aston-Reese to get back in the line up as well as Schultz and am betting GMJR has one or two tricks up his sleeve yet. You put out some good reads thank you Dan. What are your thoughts to my comments sir?

I read ’em all! You’re bringing good stuff and we hope you continue. Our comments were underutilized until recently.

I don’t think you’ll see Bjugstad on RW–He’s the 3C they’ve been waiting for. He’s more suited to the role than Blueger–at least right now. It was interesting that McCann played center last night and Blueger went to the wing.

I don’t know. I could see Bjugstad going to the right wing eventually. McCann has all of the tools to be a PERFECT 3C in his career. He’s spectacular defensively and when he is on, he can be extremely dangerous offensively. I’m excited to see what happens when he has talented wingers with him.

That said, the pens are now good enough to run 4 talented lines. So, the difference between the 3rd line and the 4th might not be that large.

Is there a stat that shows the average age of the team now vs the beginning of the year? What sticks out to me the most is how much younger weve gotten. With the exception of 87, 71, 81, 72, and 7 all other forwards are in their 20s

Great write up. This is honestly one of those trades that seems like it’ll be good for EVERYONE involved. McCann and Bjugstad jumping to a competitor. Pen’s improve. Fla frees up space. Sheahan and Brassard both probably end up back with other contenders who most likely would look to re sign them.

And, Brassard has always been an amazing professional and an extremely good player. I’ve never quite bought into the rumors that he didn’t fit in the room. Sometimes players just don’t fit a system.

This trade did not make the Penguins better or worse. It’s two bottom 6 players replacing two other bottom 6 players. Bjugstag is too slow to play with Makin so he’ll be third line center. You still have an AHL player Simon on top line. Rust stays on Malkin’s line. This means Blueger heads back to AHL. Worst of all you have Pettersson playing 15 minutes a game and he’s the worst player on the team. If they are wanting to win the SC then get Crosby a real NHL winger. Sit Pettersson.

Bit negative.
I agree an upgrade on the wing is still needed and the Pens still have the cap room to do it but do they have the ammo to pull it off? Petterson will get less minutes when Schultz returns. When healthy MP is still the #6 D. No getting around it.

Instant trade analysis: Sideways move at worst that gives the Pens cost certainty but may not fill the third center role. (Is there another trade on the way?) Money is very close both ways. Don’t like the inclusion of a second-rounder (along with two fourth-rounders) in the deal, but If Bjugstad achieves his potential, that won’t be a big price to pay.

What I also like is that GMJR was quick to change the culture as I advised last week. Brassard didn’t want to be in the ‘Burgh, and his lack of intensity and sense of entitlement were needless distractions. Good riddance, pal. While Sheahan filled multiple roles adequately, he could be replaced somewhat easily.

Bjugstad has the biggest upside of the four players and is the key to deal. He’s a much-needed big body (6-6, 215) and right-handed shot. Tends to plays smaller than size, however. Can play center but is better on the right side. Gamble is that better talent will help him realize potential. Under contract for two more seasons. Five goals, seven assists, +2, 51% in 32 games.

McCann (6-1, 198) is a depth forward who can kill penalties. He’s only 22 and may have another level. Played mostly on the fourth line this season. Under contract for one more. Eight goals, 10 assists, -9, 46% in 46 games.